Turntable for production line applications

ABSTRACT

A turntable for production line applications is provided which is suitable for large surface area applications, such as, for example, in the production of automobiles. The turntable has an annular platform surface around a central vertical structure which houses a vertically orientated drive motor. The platform is preferably supported at its outer edge by a series of rollers or casters, and is supported at its inner edge by a ring bearing. By providing a vertically orientated motor in the central structure, more useable space on the turntable is provided. In addition, the turntable is more easily maintained, and is less prone to accidental damage. As such, a turntable of improved overall efficiency is provided.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of production lineequipment, and in particular, relates to a turntable which can be usedin, for example, the production line assembly of automobiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Turntables are commonly used on productions lines of varioustypes in order to, for example, allow different tasks to be performed onrelated items within a given space. For example, a turntable could beused to allow workers to hand fill a empty rack at one station of aturntable, while a fork lift is used at a second station on theturntable to remove filled racks, and replace them with empty racks. Assuch, the worker is kept safely away from the fork lift, and can beactively filling a rack while the fork lift is occupied with removal ofthe filled rack, or the like. Once an empty rack has been filled, theturntable would be turned 180°, for a two-station turntable, so that theworkers are presented with a new empty rack, and the fork lift wouldhave easy access to remove the filled rack and replace it with an emptyrack.

[0003] Turntables are used in a variety of applications, and can be of avariety of different sizes. The number of stations on the turntable canvary but is typically 4 or less. After each loading or unloading cycle,for example, is complete, the turntable would be turned an appropriateamount, in order to move the work product to the next station.

[0004] Turntables can be of any suitable size depending on the partsize, and depending on the operation to be preformed. In some automotiveapplications, the size of the turntable can be relatively large. Forexample, a two station automotive turntable can be over 5 metres indiameter, while a three station automotive turntable can be over 7metres in diameter. These devices are commonly made of steel in order tosupport the weight of the work product and, as such, rotation of theturntable can made difficult by the weight of the work product and theweight of the turntable itself.

[0005] Commonly, the turntable is supported by a series of rollers orthe like under the turntable “floor” structure, and the turntable isturned using a motorized, belt or chain-driven connection to a gearstructure which acts on the outer edge of the turntable. Thisarrangement can lead to wear and/or adjustment difficulties with thedrive system and can lead to control problems as the turntable isrotated. Also, motorized, frictional drive systems are known where adrive wheel presses against the turntable, but these suffer from theconstant need for adjustment of the frictional drive.

[0006] Drive systems are also known which use a horizontal motor locatedat or near the centre of the turntable structure but which are locatedon the floor or other support structure so as to be stationary, andconnect to the central opening of an annular turntable using africtional connection, or by using a pinion gear connected to a gearstructure located on the inner annular surface of the turntable.However, in these devices, the motor and gear structure requires asignificant amount of space and thus reduces the amount of spaceavailable for use on the turntable. Further, the gear structure istypically exposed and it is possible to inadvertently damage the gearstructure.

[0007] Commonly, the floor of the turntable is round in overall shape,but is typically made of a collection of square plates which have beencut for this purpose. As such, the individual floor plates may bedifferent from each other, and it can be difficult to fit the floorplates together in an apparent seamless configuration, particularlyafter installation and during use of the turntable structure. This isparticularly true as the turntable is rotated and the support structureacts on different turntable plates. As such, the floor of the turntablemay be uneven, and may contain vertical or horizontal gaps, or non-levelsections which can make walking or movement of equipment on theturntable, difficult or unsafe. This is a particularly significantdisadvantage in automated operations wherein “robotic” or other suchdevices travel across the turntable surface and the uneven floor caninterfere with the movement of these robotic devices.

[0008] To overcome these difficulties, it would be advantageous toprovide a turntable suitable for larger applications which provides abetter support arrangement, allows for a common floor plate structure,avoids the difficulties of chain-driven, belt or frictional movementmechanisms, and facilitates the provision of a level floor structure inorder to avoid vertical or horizontal gaps in the floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Accordingly, it is a principal advantage of the present inventionto provide a turntable, and in particular, a turntable for productionapplications, which avoids or at least partially mitigates thedisadvantages of prior art turntables.

[0010] It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide aturntable for automotive production, which has a smooth, platformsurface, and which platform surface can be easily repaired and/ormaintained, and is comprised of essentially identical, replaceablepanels.

[0011] The advantages set out hereinabove, as well as other objects andgoals inherent thereto, are at least partially or fully provided by theturntable of the present invention, as set out herein below.

[0012] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides aturntable for production line applications which turntable is rotatableabout a central vertical axis, and which comprises:

[0013] a platform having an inner edge and an outer edge and preferablybeing annular in shape and essentially flat;

[0014] an outer support preferably comprising a plurality of rollermeans underneath said platform, at or near the outer edge of saidplatform;

[0015] a inner support for supporting said platform at or near saidinner edge of said platform, such that said platform is essentiallysupported by said outer and said inner supports; and

[0016] a central structure at or near said central vertical axis,comprising a vertical central support to which an inner edge of saidplatform is attached, a motor support located inside said centralsupport and fixed to a stationary support, a vertical motorized drivesection supported by said motor support, and a connector which connectssaid drive section to said central support.

[0017] In a further aspect, the present invention also provides the useof a turntable as described hereinabove with respect to the presentinvention, in a production line application, and in particular, to theuse of such a turntable in the production of an automobile or in theproduction of automobile parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present application is primarily directed to the design anduse of a turntable, and to its use in a production line application, andmost particularly, in an automotive production line application.However, the skilled artisan will be aware that such turntables can becommonly used in a wide variety of applications. Accordingly, while thepresent application is described with particular reference to theautomotive industry, the skilled artisan would be aware that the presentapplication is equally applicable in other non-automotive applications.In the present application, the term “turntable” refers to a movableplatform, which can be rotated about a central axis. The platform ispreferably flat, and is preferably circular in overall construction.However, any suitable shape might be used, such as, for example, asquare or octagon turntable, however, a circular turntable typicallyrequires the least amount of floor space.

[0019] As such, the turntable of the present invention is preferably anessentially flat platform. The platform is also preferably an annularsurface which has a circular outer edge. The diameter of the platform ispreferably such that a large area is covered, and by this is meant thatthe turntable has a diameter of at least 1 metre, and more preferably isbetween 3 and 10 metres in diameter, and most preferably is between 5and 8 metres in diameter.

[0020] For example, a large area turntable with a diameter of 5 metresmight be capable of holding 2 or more automobile frames, and as such, issignificantly larger than smaller industrial turntable configurations.

[0021] The central structure of the turntable provides for a minimal useof turntable area since the motor and optional gearing and the like, arevertically aligned and are housed within a vertical structure. As such,the central structure has a “footprint” which is less than 15% of thetotal overall turntable area, more preferably less than 10% of the totalturntable area, and most preferably, has a footprint of less than 5% ofthe total turntable area. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart that the size of the motor, and thus the minimum size of the motorsupport and central support, will vary depending on the size and weightof the turntable, and the products to be placed on the turntable.

[0022] The turntable, and in particular, the central structure, ispreferably positioned on a floor structure located on or near aproduction line facility. The floor structure can then act as astationary support for the motor support.

[0023] The supports for the turntable consists of at least two differentcomponents. First, an outer support is provided which is positionedunderneath the platform at or near the outer edge of the platform. Theouter support can comprise a series of support arms extending from theinner support of the turntable, but more preferably is a plurality ofrollers or casters located at or near the outer surface of theturntable, and on which the platform will roll as the turntable isrotated. Preferably, the casters are connected to a caster ring whichring can be affixed to the floor structure in order to position thecasters at the outer edge of the platform. The casters are preferablyindividually adjustable in height, using for example, a threaded heightadjustment, so that the outer edge of the platform can be leveled to apredetermined height.

[0024] Once the caster heights have been set, the platform can be setinto place so as to provide a flat floor structure free from gaps orvertical movements as the turntable is rotated.

[0025] An inner support is provided which is preferably located at ornear the inner edge of the annular platform. A preferred type of innersupport is a circular ring bearing having a fixed section affixed to aring bearing support which is in turn, directly or indirectly affixed tothe floor structure, and a rotatable annular ring bearing section whichis affixed to the inner edge of the platform.

[0026] When supported by the inner and outer supports, the floor area ofthe platform of the turntable is essentially completely supported andprovides a floating deck structure which can be readily moved by themotorized drive section.

[0027] The inner and outer supports typically act to raise the platformabove floor level. Preferably, however, at least part of platform isessentially level with adjacent floor structure in order that, workerscan move easily from the floor section onto the platform without atripping hazard. This can be accomplished by providing a raised floorstructure adjacent to the turntable, or by sinking the support structurefor the platform beneath floor level such that the upper level of theplatform is essentially level with the floor. On the opposite side ofthe platform, in a two station embodiment, a fork lift can approach theturntable, and can drop empty or full racks onto the platform, and/orremove racks, or the like as required, without approaching the workerson the other side of the platform.

[0028] In situations where a raised section of floor is providedadjacent to, and level with only part of the platform, a guard sectioncan optionally be fitted around the platform in order to preventaccidental contact of the tines of the fork lift with the turntablesupport structure. Preferably, the guard is sloped so as to deflect thetines of the fork lift so as to minimize damage to the turntable or tothe turntable supports.

[0029] The central structure has a series of components including avertical central support which preferably is a vertical cylinder whichextends above the turntable platform and which is co-axial with thecentral vertical axis. The central support is attached, preferably at alower end of the vertical cylinder, to the platform of the turntable sothat rotation of the central support results in rotation of theturntable.

[0030] Inside the central support is a motor support which preferably isa second vertical cylinder which is also co-axial with the centralvertical axis. The motor support is fixed into a set position on astationary support, which stationary support is preferably directly orindirectly supported by the floor structure.

[0031] The motorized drive section used to turn the turntable, includesa motor and any other optional components such as gear boxes,differentials, fluid couplings and the like, all of which are preferablysupported by the motor support. Also, preferably all components of themotorized drive section are essentially completely contained within themotor support. In a preferred design, the motor and any gear boxes orthe like, are aligned so as to be co-axial with the central verticalaxis.

[0032] The output shaft from the motorized drive section is connected tothe central support using a connector. While the connector may simply bea direct link between the output shaft of the motorized drive sectionand the central support, it preferably comprises a flexible,elastomeric, or resilient coupling. This could include a misalignmentcoupling which would allow for some small misalignment of the motoroutput shaft.

[0033] The connector is preferably located at or near the top of thecentral support and at or near the top of the motor support. In thisfashion, the motorized drive section is completely housed within thecentral support, and where the central support is a solid cylinder,access to the motorized drive section is limited. Access doors on thecentral support and the motor support can be provided to allow access tothe motorized drive section, however.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the turntable of the presentinvention the central structure comprises: i) a central support of avertical cylinder having an upper open end and a lower open end, theedge of said lower open end being affixed to the inner edge of saidplatform; ii) a motor support of an inner vertical cylinder within saidcentral support having a lower end opening, the edge of which isattached directly or indirectly to said supporting floor structure; iii)a vertically aligned motor as part of said motorized drive section,preferably essentially contained within said inner vertical cylinder andconnected to said motor support; iv) a drive transfer connector whichconnects an output shaft of said motorized drive section to said outervertical cylinder, wherein rotation of said output shaft of saidmotorized drive section results in rotation of said outer verticalcylinder, and thus results in rotation of said platform.

[0035] Preferably, the axis of the motor, a gear section, and/or theoutput drive shaft from the motor or gear section of said motorizeddrive section, are all essentially aligned along the central verticalaxis of said turntable.

[0036] All components of the turntable of the present invention can bemanufactured from a variety of materials provided that adequate strengthis provided. This can include plastics, wood, concrete, ceramics, glass,ferrous or non-ferrous metals, and the like, or combinations of thesematerials. However, preferably the turntable is primarily made of steel.

[0037] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the platform ismanufactured from a series of truncated “pie-shaped” pieces which extendradially from a central portion of the annular platform. These“pie-shaped” pieces are preferably essentially identical, or comprise aseries of consistent modification such that the platform can beconstructed from a series of two or three sets of identical panelsections.

[0038] In particular, at least some of the pie-shaped panel sectionshave one or more optionally closable openings, through which, access tothe underlaying support structure is possible in order to performroutine maintenance or repair.

[0039] Also, the pie-shaped elements can be manufactured so that theycover a standard radial angle. As such, all or part of the turntable canbe extended or contract by inserting a new pie-shaped element which islonger.or shorter than the standard element. In this fashion, forexample, a 3 metre turntable could be readily converted to a 4 metreturntable by replacement of the pie-shaped elements without the need forany modification of the central structure.

[0040] Also, the “component” nature of the turntable of the presentinvention allows for easy of transport and assembly in that a centralsection could be shipped and the outer support and radial pie-shapedfloor elements added to the central section.

[0041] When the turntable of the present invention is assembled andused, it can be easily rotated to any desired position. Commonly, theturntable will support a rack station wherein, for example, automotiveparts can be loaded or unloaded onto a rack on one side of theturntable, and the rack removed by a fork lift on another section of theturntable. The removed rack can then be replaced with an empty rack.Typically, however, the turntable has at least two rack stations, andthus will rotate (and preferably automatically rotate) through a turncycle of 180° each time a rack is full, for example. For turntable withthree rack stations, a turn cycle of 120° would be used. The turn cyclecan thus be selected to provide the necessary turn required for thenumber of “stations” contained on the turntable.

[0042] Also, it should be noted that while a circular, or annularconfiguration is most preferred, other design shapes could be used, suchas for example, a square vertical “cylinder” might be used in place of acircular cylinder, without departing from the teachings of the presentinvention. Similarly, other shapes could be used for different itemsprovided that suitable design amendments are made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way ofexample only in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0044]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a turntable constructed inaccordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0045]FIG. 2 is a partial view of a section of the turntable of FIG. 1;

[0046]FIG. 3 is a cross-section side plan view of the turntable of FIG.1;

[0047]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a section of the ring bearing; and

[0048]FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the use of theturntable of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0049] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of thepresent invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method ofoperation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, willbe better understood from the following drawings in which a presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way ofexample only. In the drawings, like reference numerals depict likeelements.

[0050] It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are forthe purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended asa definition of the limits of the invention.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, a turntable 10 is shown having a platform 12constructed primarily of two different types of truncated pie-shapedpieces 14 and 16. Pieces 16 differ from pieces 14 in that they includetwo access holes 18 and 20 for accessing components of the supportstructure of the turntable for repair or maintenance. Some of accessholes 18 and 20 are shown without covers, but in normal use, covers 19would be provided for all access holes.

[0052] Platform 12 also comprises a annular connection section 22 towhich pieces 14 and 16 are connected. Section 22 is attached to verticalcentral support cylinder 30. Vertical support cylinder 30 has a motoraccess opening 32 (which would normally be equipped with a cover—notshown—to control access). Through opening 32, a portion of verticalmotor support cylinder 34 is shown, which also has a second motor accessopening 36. For motor maintenance, platform 12 would be rotated so thataccess opening 32 was in alignment with access opening 36.

[0053] The outer edge of platform 12 rests on a series of casters 40,which act as rollers. Each caster 40 is affixed to a caster support ring42, and each caster 40 is individually adjustable for height, positionor the like. Access to casters 40 can be provided through access holes18 on panels 16.

[0054] In situations where all of platform 12 is not essentially levelwith the adjacent floor, a guard 38, would be positioned adjacent to theedge of platform 12 in order to prevent the tines of a fork lift fromaccidentally contacting casters 40, or from getting caught underplatform 12. Guard 38 is angled upwards so that it will bounce the tinesof the fork lift upwards, if needed.

[0055] Additional details of construction can be seen in FIG. 2 which isa perspective view of part of the turntable 10 of FIG. 1, wherein aseries of platform panels 14 and 16, have been removed. The additionaldetails of construction seen in the resulting opening include a platformsupport ring 50 to which the platform is attached, and which will reston casters 40.

[0056] Also shown is a platform support arm 52 which extends radiallyfrom annular section 22 to support ring 50. Also shown is support base54 which is used to support the central components of turntable 10.

[0057] In FIG. 3, a cross-sectional plan view of turntable 10 ispresented. The additional details seen in this view include motorsection 60 (including a motor and a gearbox section) which is locatedwithin motor support cylinder 34, and is located on the central axis 62of turntable 10. Motor section 60 is attached to motor support cylinder34 using brackets 64, and motor support cylinder 34 rests on supportbase 54. As such, motor section 60, brackets 64, base 54 and motorsupport cylinder 34 remain stationary when platform 12 is rotated.

[0058] Drive shaft 66 extending from motor section 60 is connected toouter vertical cylinder 30 using a flexible misalignment connector 68.

[0059] Platform 12 has a diameter of 5 metres, and central supportcylinder has a diameter of 1 metre. This results in a turntable wherethe central support has a footprint of 4% of the total area of theturntable In use, motor section 60 is activated in order to turnturntable platform 12. Drive shaft 66 acts, through brackets 68 to causecentral support cylinder 30 to rotate about axis 62. Section 22, whichis attached to central support cylinder 30, also rotates, and causessupport arms 52 to rotate, which in turn, causes panels 14 and 16 tomove as part of platform 12. As such, platform 12 rotates.

[0060] The outer edge of platform 12 is supported by casters 40. Theinner portion of platform 12 is supported by annular ring bearing 70,which is shown in more detail in FIG. 4. Ring bearing 70 has astationary portion 72 affixed to support base 54, and a movable portion74 affixed to section 22. Portions 72 and 74 are separated by a seriesof ball bearings 76 which ride in a track 75 created between the twoportions. As such, the inner and outer portions of platform 12 aresupported, and in particular, are supported while rotating.

[0061] Motor section 60 is contained within a vertical motor supportcylinder 30, and is thus protected from accidental damage, but is easilyaccessible should maintenance or repair be required. Further, the radialdesign of the panel sections 14 and 16 allows for a minimum number ofreplacement panels to be kept on site, and the panels can be rapidlychanged if required. Further, the uniform size and construction of thepanel sections facilitates alignment of the panels on the platform, andthus provides a level platform free from uneven gaps or openings.

[0062] In FIG. 5, a diagrammatic representation of the use of aturntable 100 according to the present invention is shown. In FIG. 5A, aturntable 100 is shown on which are placed three racks 82, 84 and 86,for a three station configuration. Turntable 100 is made of steel, andhas a diameter of 6 metres. Adjacent to turntable 100 is a floor section88 which is level with the platform 102 of turntable 100. Workers wouldmove from floor section 88 onto platform 102 and fill the contents ofrack 82. When rack 82 was filled, turntable 100 would be rotated 120° sothat rack 82 would become rack 84. At this point, rack 84 is accessibleto a fork lift, not shown, and would be removed from turntable 100. Itshould be noted that guard 38 is used to prevent the tines of the forklift from accessing the lower areas of turntable 100. After the fullrack 84 has been removed, an empty rack could be placed in its position.After the next 120° turn of the turntable, rack 84 would become rack 86,and would be available as the next rack to be filled on a subsequentturn of the turntable.

[0063] In FIG. 5B, a two station configuration of a turntable 110 isshown with two racks 92 and 94, wherein rack 92 could be filled byworkers moving from floor section 90. Turntable 110 is also made ofsteel, and has a diameter of 5.5 metres. When full, turntable 110 isrotated 180° so that rack 92 becomes rack 94. Rack 94 can be removedfrom turntable 110 using a fork lift, and replaced with an empty rack.As a result of the turn of the turntable, the empty rack would be movedto the station where the workers could begin filling, so that the emptyrack would now become rack 92.

[0064] A second turntable 112 is shown adjacent to turntable 110 (inthis case, identical to turntable 110), which is used in a productionline environment so that the next step of the process could be conductedon turntable 112. As such, the utility of the turntable design has beendemonstrated.

[0065] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordancewith the present invention, a turntable for production lineapplications, which fully satisfies the goals, objects, and advantagesset forth hereinbefore. Therefore, having described specific embodimentsof the present invention, it will be understood that alternatives,modifications and variations thereof may be suggested to those skilledin the art, and that it is intended that the present specificationembrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fallwithin the scope of the appended claims.

[0066] Additionally, for clarity and unless otherwise stated, the word“comprise” and variations of the word such as “comprising” and“comprises”, when used in the description and claims of the presentspecification, is not intended to exclude other additives, components,integers or steps.

[0067] Moreover, the words “substantially” or “essentially”, when usedwith an adjective or adverb is intended to enhance the scope of theparticular characteristic; e.g., substantially planar is intended tomean planar, nearly planar and/or exhibiting characteristics associatedwith a planar element.

[0068] Further, use of the terms “he”, “him”, or “his”, is not intendedto be specifically directed to persons of the masculine gender, andcould easily be read as “she”, “her”, or “hers”, respectively.

[0069] Also, while this discussion has addressed prior art known to theinventor, it is not an admission that all art discussed is citableagainst the present application.

We claim:
 1. A turntable for production line applications whichturntable is rotatable about a central vertical axis, and whichcomprises: a platform having an inner edge and an outer edge; an outersupport; a inner support for supporting said platform at or near saidinner edge of said platform, such that said platform is essentiallysupported by said outer and said inner supports; and a central structureat or near said central vertical axis, comprising a vertical centralsupport to which an inner edge of said platform is attached, a motorsupport located inside said central support and fixed to a stationarysupport, a vertical motorized drive section supported by said motorsupport, and a connector which connects said drive section to saidcentral support.
 2. A turntable as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidplatform is annular in shape and essentially flat.
 3. A turntable asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said turntable has a diameter of at least 1metre.
 4. A turntable as claimed in claim 3 wherein said turntable has adiameter of between 3 and 10 metres.
 5. A turntable as claimed in claim3 wherein said turntable has a diameter of between 5 and 8 metres.
 6. Aturntable as claimed in claim 1 wherein the central structure has afootprint which is less than 15% of the total turntable area.
 7. Aturntable as claimed in claim 6 wherein the central structure has afootprint which is less than 10% of the total turntable area.
 8. Aturntable as claimed in claim 6 wherein the central structure has afootprint which is less than 5% of the total turntable area.
 9. Aturntable as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer support is providedby a plurality of rollers or casters located at or near the outersurface of the turntable.
 10. A turntable as claimed in claim 9 whereinsaid rollers or casters are connected to a caster ring.
 11. A turntableas claimed in claim 9 wherein said rollers or casters are individuallyadjustable in height using a threaded height adjustment.
 12. A turntableas claimed in claim 1 wherein said inner support is provided by a ringbearing.
 13. A turntable as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising asloped guard member around at least part of said platform, which guardis angled upwards so as to deflect the tines of a fork lift upwards. 14.A turntable as claimed in claim 1 wherein said central support is avertical cylinder which extends above the turntable platform and whichis co-axial with the central vertical axis.
 15. A turntable as claimedin claim 14 wherein said central support is attached at a lower end ofthe vertical cylinder, to the platform of the turntable so that rotationof the central support results in rotation of the turntable.
 16. Aturntable as claimed in claim 14 wherein said motor support is a secondvertical cylinder located inside said central support and which is alsoco-axial with the central vertical axis.
 17. A turntable as claimed inclaim 16 wherein said motor support is directly or indirectly supportedby a floor structure.
 18. A turntable as claimed in claim 16 whereinsaid motorized drive section is supported by the motor support, and isessentially contained within the motor support.
 19. A turntable asclaimed in claim 18 wherein said motorized drive section includes amotor in combination with a gear box, a differential, a fluid couplings,or the like.
 20. A turntable as claimed in claim 1 wherein the outputshaft of the motor of said motorized drive section is centred on thecentral axis of said turntable.
 21. A turntable as claimed in claim 20wherein said output shaft is connected to said central support using aconnector.
 22. A turntable as claimed in claim 21 wherein said connectorcomprises a flexible, elastomeric, or resilient coupling.
 23. Aturntable as claimed in claim 22 wherein said coupling is a misalignmentcoupling which would allow for some small misalignment of the motoroutput shaft.
 24. A turntable as claimed in claim 1 wherein said centralstructure comprises: i) a central support consisting of a verticalcylinder having an upper open end and a lower open end, the edge of saidlower open end being affixed to the inner edge of said platform; ii) amotor support consisting of an inner vertical cylinder within saidcentral support having a lower end opening, the edge of which isattached directly or indirectly to said supporting floor structure; iii)a vertically aligned motor as part of said motorized drive sectionessentially contained within said inner vertical cylinder and connectedto said motor support; iv) a drive transfer connector which connects anoutput shaft of said motorized drive section to said outer verticalcylinder, wherein rotation of said output shaft of said motorized drivesection results in rotation of said outer vertical cylinder, and thusresults in rotation of said platform.
 25. A turntable as claimed inclaim 24 wherein the axis of said motor, a gear section, and/or theoutput drive shaft from the motor or gear section of said motorizeddrive section, are all essentially aligned along the central verticalaxis of said turntable.
 26. A turntable as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid platform comprises a plurality of pie-shaped elements connectedtogether, which elements extend radially away from a central annularportion of said platform.
 27. A turntable as claimed in claim 26 whereinsaid pie-shaped elements are essentially identical.
 28. A turntable asclaimed in claim 27 wherein said pie-shaped elements have a standardradial angle.
 29. The use of a turntable as claimed in claim 1 in aproduction line application.
 30. The use of a turntable as claimed inclaim 29 wherein said turntable is used in the production of anautomobile or in the production of automobile parts.